Cape Town – About 30% of consumers are unknowingly buying
fake goods when making online purchases, according to the Global
Online Shopping Survey.
The survey says counterfeiters are cashing in on this growing
form of shopping as many see counterfeiting as a harmless and
victimless crime, but this is not the case.
"It has far-reaching consequences and negatively affects
brands, consumers and the economy at large. From a brand point of
view there is the loss of revenue, loss of customer trust and loss
of market confidence.
"For consumers, many are duped into buying fake goods (our
research consistently shows that most shoppers would never
intentionally buy a counterfeit product online), which means
they've lost their money and could even be placing themselves
at risk."
